The Kansas City Star reports the Kansas City Chiefs are in better financial shape this year than they were last year. The Chiefs are $1.6 million under the NFL’s $71.7 million salary cap. They are trying to free up some cap room by restructuring LB Donnie Edwards’ contract. They have already restructured LB Marvcus Patton’s contract and will probably release WR Derrick Alexander. Edwards, Patton and Alexander count $16.5 million against the salary cap.

Adam Teicher reports for the Kansas City Star two Kansas City Chiefs starting LBs, Donnie Edwards and Marvcus Patton, could join the list of potential free agents from the team. Each has a clause allowing him to void his contract, but neither has yet done so. Edwards is due a $2.8 million roster bonus on March 1 and a 2002 salary of $2.9 million. Patton is due a $1 million bonus and a $2 million salary.

The KC Star reports the salary cap moves by the Kansas City Chiefs left them with more than $6 million to spend as the free agent signing period began early Friday morning. "We're cap-rich," president Carl Peterson said. As previously reported, G Will Shields re-signed earlier today an his contract is a six-year, $26 million contract that includes a $7 million signing bonus and a 2001 salary of $500,000. Other players not previously reported restructured their deals to help the cap situation, DL Dan Williams and Steve Martin, and LB Marvcus Patton. Coach Dick Vermeil said the Chiefs would not pursue Cincinnati RB Corey Dillon in free agency.

The Saint Louis Post-Dispatch reports the Rams have agreed to a four-year contract with Patriots Free Agent LB Todd Collins. No financial terms were released on the deal. The Rams apparently picked Collins, who had also visited the Giants and Raiders, over Washington LB Marvcus Patton. His signing means the Rams still have to make some moves to meet the league's salary cap requirements.